Anyone Up for Another LB?

[NJ29]

I think that Travis Williams would be a great depth pickup on Day 2. He's got NFL coverage skills, and the presence of Simmons gives him a couple years to develop his game.

Give Williams a couple years to develop his BODY. The guy is 217 lbs, that's smaller than a good number of Safety's. He'll be a monster on Special Teams and could provide good depth, though with his size issues it is not likely he will ever be able to start in the NFL.

Also from before, Roach is a 4th round prospect, at the latest 5th. Unless he runs above a 4.8 Roach will not slide past the 5th. If he runs about a 4.6 he could find his way into the late first day. he was very impressive at the Senior Bowl game.

Yo! Again, I keep mixing up words. BODY is what I meant to say.

I think that, like you said he could be a monster on special teams, making Marcus Wilkins expendable. As far as depth goes, you want football players in backups, above all else. He also would have the ability to come in as a nickelbacker because of his coverage ability. He's definatey worth a late round pick in my eyes.

[cover2]

Terna Nande.....this guy has the speed to play SS but can he cover?

[thepudgester]

I'd take Williams in the 5th, maybe even 4th. Terna Nande is another guy I'd look at in the 4th. I like Roach or Gerris Wilkinson though, they both have the size and are stout at the point of attack, either would provide a good backup for Pollack.

[schweinhart]

I think that Travis Williams would be a great depth pickup on Day 2. He's got NFL coverage skills, and the presence of Simmons gives him a couple years to develop his game.

You know, watching young Travis perform the bag drills under the direction of Mike Singletary at Senior Bowl practices was a sight to see. His feet move like pistons and he made DeMeco Ryans look like something was wrong with him.

But Williams' feet will have to keep on moving like pistons if he has any hope of playing in trash without getting completely washed out. He's awfully small for LB and I'm doubtful his frame is going to let him add enough to enable him to ever rely on anything other than quickness. If he's quick enough to play safety or even situationally as basically a 4th LB and 8th in the box....different story.

If it's weakside, the Bengals would do well to monitor another Williams -- Jamar Williams.

As for strongside, Gerris Wilkinson is stout and does have solid middle of the field coverage skills. After watching him at Ga Tech, I wondered if he might not have enough speed to play WSLB with more coverage range, but have to say he's definitely best suited for the strong side.

[NJ29]

I think that Travis Williams would be a great depth pickup on Day 2. He's got NFL coverage skills, and the presence of Simmons gives him a couple years to develop his game.

You know, watching young Travis perform the bag drills under the direction of Mike Singletary at Senior Bowl practices was a sight to see. His feet move like pistons and he made DeMeco Ryans look like something was wrong with him.

But Williams' feet will have to keep on moving like pistons if he has any hope of playing in trash without getting completely washed out. He's awfully small for LB and I'm doubtful his frame is going to let him add enough to enable him to ever rely on anything other than quickness. If he's quick enough to play safety or even situationally as basically a 4th LB and 8th in the box....different story.

If it's weakside, the Bengals would do well to monitor another Williams -- Jamar Williams.

As for strongside, Gerris Wilkinson is stout and does have solid middle of the field coverage skills. After watching him at Ga Tech, I wondered if he might not have enough speed to play WSLB with more coverage range, but have to say he's definitely best suited for the strong side.

Yo! Can you shed some light on Jamar Williams. I can honestly say that I've never heard of him.

[schweinhart]

The best look I got at Jamar Williams was the Arizona State bowl game with Rutgers. He's got above average sideline-to-sideline speed and drops back decently into short area coverage. His greatest strength, though, is the point attack, where he sheds blocks and knifes well.

Teams are more likely to consider him a SSLB type but there's enough potential with him to think he might be able to play either side out of a 4-3. He's got fairly good size to match his quickness, but unless he can absolutely convince teams at the combine that he can play weakside, he'll likely get locked in as a SSLB and teamer and that should drop him late into the 2nd Day.

[DesperateDerelict]

Stupid Question Department: Does Greenway's apparent speed and coverage ability translate in his possible move to Strong Safety? Are there any OLB's this year that could make the transition to SS?

In this day and age of huge WRs and monster RBs, I sure would like an enforcer at SS - Tab Perry is probably the only one large enough on the Bengals to 'lay wood' repeatedly without weekly concussions (or worse).

[schweinhart]

Stupid Question Department: Does Greenway's apparent speed and coverage ability translate in his possible move to Strong Safety? Are there any OLB's this year that could make the transition to SS?

In this day and age of huge WRs and monster RBs, I sure would like an enforcer at SS - Tab Perry is probably the only one large enough on the Bengals to 'lay wood' repeatedly without weekly concussions (or worse).

Greenway will definitely be a LB and probably a really good one at weakside.

A draft website did report that the Bengals talked with 3 undersized college LBs during Senior Bowl week -- Jon Alston, Brian Iwuh, and Travis Williams. Of those 3, I believe Alston is the most likely to convert to SS. Iwuh is a trip and goes sideline to sideline like a bat out of hell but not sure he can cope in any kind of coverage behind him. Williams doesn't strike me as quick as either of the other 2.

For an enofrcer at safety, I like Dwayne Slay, who won't be the greatest in deep coverage but is much better at it than Greg Blue. Slay is about the same size as Blue and rivals him in knocking the slop out of receivers and runners.

[Kazkal]

which teamns talked with nande?

[KimoTherapy]

As I mentioned in another thread this is the guy the Bengals are targeting.

Roger McIntosh LB Miami (FLA.)

Not the greatest in coverage but you guys are loaded up pretty good in the backfield.

I can see him going in the 3rd or 4th.

Hunley was at his workout.

Peace

[schweinhart]

Rocky McIntosh is no doubt drawing a lot of interest. But Hunley at Miami's Pro Day could have had as much to do with him as it did Leon Williams. If the Bengals LB re-signings hold (Navies and Wilkins), they probably look less at LBs who lack the wider range in coverage that's going to be required from the weakside where B-Simmons is. If that's what they're after, I just hope it's not another 225 pounder to get washed out on every stretch run. Guys like they were looking at -- Alston, Iwuh and Travis Williams.

They've been awfully interested in Gerris Wilkinson who's thick enough and long enough with borderline speed to do it, but I got reservations that he'd be able to excel in coverage at weakside and shouldn't be their 2nd or 3rd round pick just for that reason. However, there is a legit backup need at MLB and Wilkinson should be able to fill that, but not as well as either McIntosh or Leon Williams IMO.

Personally, I think it will take the Bengals 2nd to get Wilkinson, McIntosh or Leon Williams. To me, that's too high for a backup without the real likelihood of a replacement for B-Simmons. But Marvin likes picking LBs.

[TJJackson]

What about the possibility of Thomas Howard as the replacement for Simmons?

[Stripes]

What about the possibility of Thomas Howard as the replacement for Simmons?

He does look like a good option now after the free agent signings. I think it's possible that he will fall to our spot in round two, and Greenway could fall to us in round one. If Marvin wants to take this opportunity to grab another young linebacker, we should certainly have some solid options when we pick.

[cincy9275]

I want a linebacker who can run, like Nicholson, Iwuh, Travis Williams, or Sims. Carpenter doesn't fit that mold.

bobby can run he is as good as any lb in this draft .

Oh... You're serious.

bobby ran a 4.6 being only 90% if you have ever seen bobby play then you would know i think you are going on what you read and hear . cowher was at his proday and he said that bobby was most impressive and he would love to see what he can do at 100% and said that if he were there when they pick it is likely he would pick him with his first pick . then you will get to see 2 times a year at what he can do and how he can run .

[HoosierCat]

Greenway will definitely be a LB and probably a really good one at weakside.

Yup. And maybe even in Cincy. Greenway's stock has fallen thanks to lackluster workout performances, and he could easily slip to 24 now. I've seen him going to a number of teams below us in mocks, including NYG and the Steelers. But I still think that if he's on the board, Marvin pulls the trigger.

[ArmyBengal]

Greenway will definitely be a LB and probably a really good one at weakside.

Yup. And maybe even in Cincy. Greenway's stock has fallen thanks to lackluster workout performances, and he could easily slip to 24 now. I've seen him going to a number of teams below us in mocks, including NYG and the Steelers. But I still think that if he's on the board, Marvin pulls the trigger.

I know what you are saying here Joisey and it very well may happen, but I still think I would prefer a CB or another defensive position to Greenway. Although a replacement for Simmons would be more than acceptable. I just want someone to come in, PLAY, and make a bit of a difference... I guess I'm asking to much huh ??

WHODEY !!!